> Travis Edmunds <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> DISCLAIMER: I'm a rather agnostic fellow who has
> some major problems with
> organized religion. I think that should clear up any
> potential misunderstandings below.
<snip>
> I really should add something more though. You say
> that the Christianity
> (which, like it or not IS based upon the teachings
> of Jesus)...
[Note: I tend to view the Gospel of John with a fair
amount of reserve, as it differs from the other 3 in
many respects, and was probably written later as
well.]
I think we have more Paul-anity, Augustine-anity, and
even Aquinis-anity than actual Jesus-anity; many of
his messages were - and still are - quite radical:
Love your enemy? Break bread with society's dregs?
Judge not lest ye be judged likewise?
How many of the Bible-thumpers actually practice that?
Yet there are many who quietly do their best to follow
that call to care for the down-trodden and wounded.
You rarely see their 'good works' broadcast, except
perhaps as filler in a local station's Saturday
afternoon program.
Moreover, Jesus was quite anti-hierarchical in his
behavior WRT Jewish religious law of the time, yet
"the Good News" has been used to justify the
institution of slavery, a rigid chain-of-command (as
you pointed out WRT the Pope), or maintaining the
status quo ('if the poor weren't lazy they'd be
rich'). Did he wear fancy clothes, drive the latest
chariot, sup from golden chalices, hoist a mighty
sword? No. Yet how many so-called born-agains claim
that their wealth, good fortune or rise to power come
from God's blessing?
Interestingly, Dr. Tim Johnson, who is also an
ordained minister, calls himself a 'follower of Jesus'
rather than 'a Christian,' because of the disconnect
between so many who claim to be Christian and what
they do (or don't do).
> ...sometimes get's
> the real message of the 'good news' wrong. And one
> of those messages is
> indeed that we are acceptable to God exactly as we
> are. I couldn't agree
> more on that score Nick. But if such is the case,
> then what is the point of
> reconciliation? And as Jon Bon Jovi once sang - "If
> there's nothing but
> survival, how can I believe in sin?"
I think that the point is - if you feel a connection
with God, you ought to desire to 'do as Jesus did,'
performing good works not as a means of attaining
heaven, but in humble imitation of your savior. [I in
no way mean to imply that followers of other faiths do
not do the same, because of course they do; likewise
there are so-called adherents of other faiths who no
more follow Buddha (or whoever) than The White
Rabbit!]
To _plan_ to 'sin' and then ask forgiveness is very
hypocritical, but I'll leave the state of such folks'
souls to God -- reserving the right to thoroughly
chastise anyone who wants to hurt me or mine.
(Verbally or physically, depending on how badly the
offender needs walloping! <icy smile>)
> It incenses me, the hypocrisy of it all, and the
> ultimate futility, as I'm
> sure you will come to see when you answer my above
> question on whether or
> not individual interpretation of 'God's Word' will
> ever change.
Change in the behavior of a non-domesticated species
is usually glacial, but we _have_ made progress as a
society/culture, IMHO. As for the occurance of
tapewormish fanatics, and their narrow puerile views,
we might someday be able to breed it out -- but I
wouldn't hold my breath! <evil smirk>
> -Travis "being hypocritical on the outside to make a
> point" Edmunds
Debbi
Using Mr. Pointy As Justification? Maru ;)
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